Master impressionist Vincent Van Gogh would have been 169 this Wednesday. Now a worldwide household name, Van Gogh only sold one painting in his lifetime. In celebration of his birthday this week, Theatre Of Light have today released a lot more information and stunning new imagery teasing the multi-sensory experience set to take over The Shelbourne Hall of the RDS this summer. The high-tech spectacle, founded by two Irish brothers Daniel and John Gleeson, is a family-friendly event and designed for people of all ages and interests, running May 16th to August 4th.
This Van Gogh immersive journey is the world premiere of this digital art exhibition, taking digital art technologies to a new level right here in Ireland. Think you’ve seen a Van Gogh immersive experience like this before while abroad? Think again! And for the first time today, the show format is being revealed:
The experience is in four parts, beginning with a deep dive into Vincent Van Gogh’s subconscious. 20,000 square ft digital projections of his psyche will surround you in 360 degrees. From his personal letters, drawings from various eras of his life and even his signature brush strokes. Part One is as if Van Gogh is showing us the world through his own eyes.
Speaking of Part One, Project Director Jillian Wilson said:
“Many highlights like ‘The Workers’ he frequently painted, or the influence Japanese art had on him slowly unfold all around you, in breath-taking succession. Throughout this section we discover the portraits of people that touched his life. The immersive experience brings us into the scenes of ‘The Potato Eaters’ or ‘Almond Blossoms’ as if we were in them and they were alive around us”.
Van Gogh Dublin – An Immersive Journey uses Artificial Intelligence throughout
Part Two captures Van Gogh as he leaves Paris and moves to the South, ‘searching for the light’. We stroll around fields in Arles with him, seeing Van Gogh’s visionary take on perspective and horizon. We take our time in his Bedroom in Arles and inside his renowned Sunflowers scenery.
Preview of The Sunflowers’ immersion in Part Two
Jillian Wilson says:
“Many scenes innovatively interpret the signature elements of his life or style. We occupy his subconsciousness here, particularly composed of what he painted while in his room at the asylum. And you feel like you are in his mind and thoughts at this time”.
Part Three launches us right into Van Gogh’s hallmark scenes and paintings. The scene evolves as we experience being under that signature painted sky of Starry Night or laying in Wheatfields with Crows.
Then, the journey takes us into the more abstract scenes of Van Gogh’s style. A scene inspired by his famous painting techniques, like brush strokes, where we experience them in person through a futuristic environment.
Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ swirls around guests
Jillian Wilson continues:
“The A.I. part of this show is the most spectacular, as it makes use of an entire catalogue of over 2000 artworks: Paintings, drawings and letters. By categorizing and analysing them, they learn Van Gogh’s style, his colour palette, they also generate paintings in his style. It’s truly a one of a kind experience.”
Tickets are available at vangoghdublin.com. The show is running in The Shelbourne Hall of the RDS from May 16th to August 4th. The RDS was one of very few Irish venues that could facilitate a technical marvel of this scale and impact. All Covid-19 rules and guidelines will be strictly followed. Follow Van Gogh Dublin on Instagram here: @vangoghdublinrds.
Ticket Prices:
– Adult: €25.00
– Child 5-12 years: €15.00
– Concessions (Student/OAP) €23.00
– Under 5’s: FREE (but must have a ticket)
*Booking fees will apply.